Chris Keogan joins the boot drive

Doncaster snooker star Chris Keogan joined up with Rovers fan Lee Rourke to donate two trolley loads of football boots to the Rovers and Club Doncaster Foundation boot drive.

Fit Rovers veterans have been a driving force in securing boots for a local refugee football team Doncaster Conversation Club United. They have been donating boots at their Thursday evening Fit Rovers sessions and hosted a boot drop at Rovers home match vs Plymouth Argyle with another planned for the final game of the season vs Coventry City.

The boot drive provides opportunities for supporters to donate old football boots, trainers, and astroturf trainers to the refugee team and Chris Keogan – who was hosting snooker sessions in Donny Dog’s Kennel ahead of the Argyle match – took the opportunity to donate more than 50 pairs of boots.

“I have to say a massive thank you to Lee Rourke, he’s an ambassador at the club, and he’s massively got behind the campaign. It’s been a joint effort to collect those boots – probably half and half really,” said Chris.

“I found out about the boot drive about a week before the Plymouth game. I was in the corridor of the Foundation and they had a trolley full of boots so I asked what it was about. I spoke to Jim Lord who explained about the work they’ve been doing and the campaign and I just thought ‘Well, I have to get behind this’.

“I hammered my phonebook, called lots of people I knew – friends, family, old football friends – anyone who might potentially have boots, I just wanted to collect as many as I could.

“Sport and exercise has been such a massive part of my life, so to be able to give people the opportunity to take part is really important. Sport isn’t just about the elite level, it’s about everything – the social aspects, getting out of the house, doing some exercise, making friends, improving health. It’s great that Club Doncaster are creating more opportunities for people and I knew I wanted to help.”

Can you spare a pair of football boots, trainers, or astroturf trainers? Fit Rovers vets will be holding a final boot drive for the cause on May 4 at Rovers home match vs Coventry City and supporters are able to donate before the game.